Rather than go for goal himself, Hughes unselfishly squared a pass for the supporting Bannister and he squeezed his shot inside the post.

And just five minutes later, Bannister was being mobbed by his new team-mates for a second time.

Hughes was once against the architect, sending a cross from the right flank towards the back post. Maldon’s Hammond appeared to misjudge the flight of the ball, leaving Bannister to stab it into virtually the same place as where his first goal had entered the net.

Dealing with being behind for the first time, Maldon’s response was predictably positive and there were times when they had Bury pegged back into the their own half.

But the defence stood firm, and on the odd occasion they were breached, O’Sullivan was on good form to deny both Nash and Hammond — the latter’s effort in particular looked goalbound until Bury’s number one got his fingertips to the ball in stoppage time to preserve the three points.

The final whistle was met with sounds of approval by the majority of the 340-strong crowd — a noise that had not been heard at Ram Meadow since the 2-1 over Dereham Town on January 2.

Free Press Man of the Match - Ollie Hughes: Many would give the award to Bannister and that is understandable, but Hughes never gave the Maldon defence a moment of peace and also played a big role in all of his team’s goals.

Attendance: 340

* For a video interview with Bury boss Ben Chenery ahead of Monday’s trip to Aveley, check back on this website on Monday lunchtime. And for further reaction to the Maldon win with captain Bradley Barber, see Friday’s print edition.